From Publishers Weekly
Originally published in 1973, Finch’s classic book on the artistic innovations of Walt Disney has been revised and expanded several times, and with each edition his definition of "art" becomes more suspect. The book’s original material, much of which Finch wisely retains, patiently records the art, inventions and shrewd enterprises of the studio’s legendary early years, while offering a fascinating tutorial on the birth of animation. Seventy lavishly illustrated pages are devoted to the Mickey and Donald years, another 50 to the movies Snow White and Pinocchio. Walt Disney stars in these early chapters as an artistic Icarus whose prodigal budgets and "quest for perfection" pushed his production teams to unprecedented heights. An unapologetic apologist, Finch is always there to defend Disney (whom he considers "the ultimate auteur") against critics who have called him a "backward-looking" artist and even "an advocate of political authoritarianism." Such biases aside, the book manages to tell a rousing tale of Disney’s creative life—right up to his 1965 deathbed hallucination of the yet-unrealized Epcot Center. This new edition, however, also takes on Disney’s posthumous life, when his ambitions outlive his quirky personality and are carried out by foot soldiers called "imagineers." The sundry innovations of Tim Burton, Pixar and two Broadway spinoffs may loosely qualify as the "Art of Disney," but so, too, according to Finch, do the corporation’s war chest of "toontowns," movie rides and international theme parks. Boldly blurring the line between art and money, Finch’s sprawling hagiography of the Magic Kingdom touches down for a perfect Hollywood ending: "Perhaps the greatest achievement of Michael Eisner …," it concludes, "has been to build a company in which no creative endeavor need be aborted for lack of available funding."Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Library Journal
The Art of Walt Disney was first published in 1973. This major revision (some 50 percent of the text is new, with 200 new illustrations) carries the Disney story up to such current feature films as Pocahontas and even stories in production like The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Finch (The Art of the Lion King, Hyperion, 1994) also continues his exploration of Disney's nonanimated enterprises: the live-action films, television productions, and Disney theme parks in the United States, Japan, and France. As one would expect, excellent full-color illustrations abound, although the type size has been reduced in comparison with the first edition, presumably for reasons of economy. Solomon (The History of Animation, LJ 12/95) takes a vertical approach to the Disney phenomenon, concentrating on the fascinating world of Disney-animated features that were never released for a variety of reasons. In doing so he draws on the resources of the studio's Animation Research Library, where he was able to take advantage of countless detailed drawings and notes preserved even for productions that never came to fruition?a common practice at Disney. In this volume the Disney connoisseur will learn about Disney projects like Chanticleer and Reynard, as well as a curious collaborative venture undertaken by Disney and Salvador Dali. Disney propaganda, training, and entertainment films made during World War II are detailed in one of the most fascinating chapters. Few Disney fans would associate the animation giant with such films as Four Methods of Flush Riveting or Prostitution and the War. As contributions to the history of animation, both volumes are essential for academic and American studies collections. Public libraries with limited budgets may opt for Finch's more broadly appealing book.?Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., FullertonCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
When it first appeared in 1973, Finch's massive tome immediately became the standard work on the history of the Disney studio. While revised as recently as 1995, so much has happened in animation since then that this further revision, brimming with full-color illustrations, is definitely in order. Most of the text covering the lengthy history of the studio, from Walt Disney's early silents to the introduction of Mickey Mouse to Snow White, the first U.S. feature-length cartoon, to the 1990s Disney animation renaissance, remains intact. Finch also details the company's moves into live-action films, television, and theme parks. New chapters cover such recent releases as Mulan and Lilo and Stitch, Broadway adaptations of Disney cartoon features, and, most significant, Pixar's digital-animation releases, such as Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., whose phenomenal popularity prompted Disney to phase out its traditional-animation unit. Although authorized, Finch's book accords each film balanced critical assessment. The initial edition is a library mainstay, but the renewed popularity of animation mandates replacing shelf-worn copies of it with this update. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

This classic volume -- it's sold nearly 600,000 copies in hardcover -- is now available in an attractive, affordable softcover edition. The Art of Walt Disney depicts, in 250 illustrations, most in full color, the magic of Disney art as expressed in animated and live-action films and theme parks around the world. From Mickey Mouse's first onscreen appearance to such recent milestones as Toy Story, The Lion King on Broadway, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Fantasia 2000, this updated and revised edition celebrates all things Disney.

ANNOTATION

The first and only major updating and revision of a classic that has sold more than 500,000 copies since its first publication in 1973, this elaborately illustrated volume tells the remarkable story of Walt Disney, and chronicles the dramatic resurgence of the company he founded as it grew under new management, up to the release of The Lion King. 666 illustrations, 350 in color.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Drawing on unfettered access to Disney artists and archives, Finch chronicles every facet of Disney art, including animation, live-action, and theme parks--from Mickey's 1928 debut to the forthcoming "Fantasia 2000." 250 illustrations, 150 in color.

SYNOPSIS